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SI Contributing Photographer Al Tielemans: Top 13 World Series Photographs

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1993: Toronto Blue Jays Joe Carter Game 6 Homerun

1993: Toronto Blue Jays Joe Carter Game 6 Homerun

I was in the third base photo pit of Toronto’s SkyDome, shooting the 1993 World Series as the Phillies team photographer. As a Philadelphia native, I had a personal and business interest in the Phil’s incredible worst to first season and their defeat of the highly favored Braves in the NLCS.
It was not meant to be however, and the World Series clinching homerun Blue Jay Joe Carter hit off Phillies pitcher Mitch Williams in Game 6 is still one of the most dramatic moments (and certainly the most bittersweet) I have ever witnessed.
I generally do not hear sounds when I shoot, but I recall the sustained roar of that crowd and the flashes of red fireworks reflecting off Carter as he danced around the bases.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

I was in the third base photo pit of Toronto’s SkyDome, shooting the 1993 World Series as the Phillies team photographer. As a Philadelphia native, I had a personal and business interest in the Phil’s incredible worst to first season and their defeat of the highly favored Braves in the NLCS.
It was not meant to be however, and the World Series clinching homerun Blue Jay Joe Carter hit off Phillies pitcher Mitch Williams in Game 6 is still one of the most dramatic moments (and certainly the most bittersweet) I have ever witnessed.
I generally do not hear sounds when I shoot, but I recall the sustained roar of that crowd and the flashes of red fireworks reflecting off Carter as he danced around the bases.

1993: Philadelphia Phillies Mitch Williams after Loss

1993: Philadelphia Phillies Mitch Williams after Loss

After Game 6 in 1993, I ended up in the Phil’s locker room immediately after the game and saw the other side of the dog-pile. A solemn Mitch Williams confronting wave after wave of reporters asking the same questions over and over again.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

After Game 6 in 1993, I ended up in the Phil’s locker room immediately after the game and saw the other side of the dog-pile. A solemn Mitch Williams confronting wave after wave of reporters asking the same questions over and over again.

1997: Florida Marlins Win in Game 7

1997: Florida Marlins Win in Game 7

I’ve covered 22 of the last 25 World Series and have been fortunate to regain my proximity to the jubilation when the Series ends. In 1997, the Florida Marlins won their first Championship only four years after their inception. The series moved from balmy Miami to frigid, snowy Cleveland and back to Florida for Games 6 & 7.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

I’ve covered 22 of the last 25 World Series and have been fortunate to regain my proximity to the jubilation when the Series ends. In 1997, the Florida Marlins won their first Championship only four years after their inception. The series moved from balmy Miami to frigid, snowy Cleveland and back to Florida for Games 6 & 7.

1997: Cleveland Indians Jim Thome after Game 7 loss

1997: Cleveland Indians Jim Thome after Game 7 loss

After witnessing the game-winning run scored by Craig Counsell, I saw Indians Jim Thome squatting with his head buried in his hands, and on the other end of the field…

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

After witnessing the game-winning run scored by Craig Counsell, I saw Indians Jim Thome squatting with his head buried in his hands, and on the other end of the field…

1997: Marlins Manager Jim Leyland greets the crowd after Game 7 win

1997: Marlins Manager Jim Leyland greets the crowd after Game 7 win

...was Florida Marlins manager Jim Leyland, the crustiest of baseball guys, blowing kisses to the crowd during a victory lap at Marlin’s Pro Player Stadium.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

...was Florida Marlins manager Jim Leyland, the crustiest of baseball guys, blowing kisses to the crowd during a victory lap at Marlin’s Pro Player Stadium.

1998: Yankees Sweep Padres for World Series Win

1998: Yankees Sweep Padres for World Series Win

In 1998, the Yankees completed a sweep of the San Diego Padres after a 114 win season. After the final out, Yankee closer Mariano Rivera collapsed in front of the mound as catcher Joe Gerardi moved in for the hug.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

In 1998, the Yankees completed a sweep of the San Diego Padres after a 114 win season. After the final out, Yankee closer Mariano Rivera collapsed in front of the mound as catcher Joe Gerardi moved in for the hug.

2006: St. Louis Cardinals David Eckstein Celebrates Win

2006: St. Louis Cardinals David Eckstein Celebrates Win

In 2006, St. Louis shortstop David Eckstein, all 5’6”, 170 lbs of him, helped the Cardinals beat the Detroit Tigers in 5 games. Eckstein won the MVP by hitting .364 with 3 runs and 4 RBI in just 5 games. As Game 5 wound down, USA Today photographer Bob Deutsch and I discussed our “jube” options. Eckstein was the clear MVP so I chose to stay on him and caught this simple moment of joy.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

In 2006, St. Louis shortstop David Eckstein, all 5’6”, 170 lbs of him, helped the Cardinals beat the Detroit Tigers in 5 games. Eckstein won the MVP by hitting .364 with 3 runs and 4 RBI in just 5 games. As Game 5 wound down, USA Today photographer Bob Deutsch and I discussed our “jube” options. Eckstein was the clear MVP so I chose to stay on him and caught this simple moment of joy.

2008: Phillies Brad Lidge hugs Carlos Ruiz

2008: Phillies Brad Lidge hugs Carlos Ruiz

In 2008 the Phillies made it back to the Series and dispatched the Tampa Rays in five games. As Ray’s pinch hitter Eric Hinske stepped to the plate to face Phil’s closer Brad Lidge, I looked into the upper deck above first base where my family sat. Twenty-eight years ago I sat up there with my dad and a teammate, and now my two sons would experience a Phillies championship too. Lidge struck out Hinske and pandemonium reigned for three days in Philly.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

In 2008 the Phillies made it back to the Series and dispatched the Tampa Rays in five games. As Ray’s pinch hitter Eric Hinske stepped to the plate to face Phil’s closer Brad Lidge, I looked into the upper deck above first base where my family sat. Twenty-eight years ago I sat up there with my dad and a teammate, and now my two sons would experience a Phillies championship too. Lidge struck out Hinske and pandemonium reigned for three days in Philly.

2008: Philadelphia Phillies World Series Parade

2008: Philadelphia Phillies World Series Parade

There are so many memories of that 2008 World Series experience: Lidge awaiting Carlos Ruiz on the mound, the parade, and the final walk through the stadium.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

There are so many memories of that 2008 World Series experience: Lidge awaiting Carlos Ruiz on the mound, the parade, and the final walk through the stadium.

2008: Phillies' Jamie Moyer digs up pitching rubber after World Series win

2008: Phillies' Jamie Moyer digs up pitching rubber after World Series win

But amongst these moments, seeing another Philly native, Phil’s pitcher Jamie Moyer, (who I had played against in summer ball as a teenager), dig up the pitching rubber and carry it into the clubhouse is a memory that will stay with me forever.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

But amongst these moments, seeing another Philly native, Phil’s pitcher Jamie Moyer, (who I had played against in summer ball as a teenager), dig up the pitching rubber and carry it into the clubhouse is a memory that will stay with me forever.

2011: St. Louis Cardinals David Freese Game-Winning Homerun

2011: St. Louis Cardinals David Freese Game-Winning Homerun

In 2011, the Cardinals won the series in 7 games, but similar to the 1975 World Series, Game 6 is the moment that stands out for me. David Freese, who made two errors at third base earlier in the game, drilled a game-tying triple in the ninth and a walk-off homerun in the 11th.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

In 2011, the Cardinals won the series in 7 games, but similar to the 1975 World Series, Game 6 is the moment that stands out for me. David Freese, who made two errors at third base earlier in the game, drilled a game-tying triple in the ninth and a walk-off homerun in the 11th.

2011: St. Louis Cardinals Celebrate World Series Win

2011: St. Louis Cardinals Celebrate World Series Win

It was one of the few times that I’ve been aware of being part of a truly memorable, historic game while it was in progress. Because I was shooting from the inner third photo well, I had Freese’s back to me so I concentrated on his teammates reaction to his game winning homerun.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

It was one of the few times that I’ve been aware of being part of a truly memorable, historic game while it was in progress. Because I was shooting from the inner third photo well, I had Freese’s back to me so I concentrated on his teammates reaction to his game winning homerun.

2013: Boston Red Sox Win World Series

2013: Boston Red Sox Win World Series

2013, the year of the Boston Marathon bombing, the Boston Red Sox found themselves World Series-bound again. Trying for a third championship in ten years, following an 86-year drought, the Red Sox played a big part in the city’s healing. David “Big Papi” Ortiz lifted the team on his own Ruthian shoulders and carried them to the title with an incredible .688 World Series batting average. In the clubhouse he opened and poured a huge bottle of bubbly over his teammates.

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

PHOTO CREDITS: Al Tielemans

2013, the year of the Boston Marathon bombing, the Boston Red Sox found themselves World Series-bound again. Trying for a third championship in ten years, following an 86-year drought, the Red Sox played a big part in the city’s healing. David “Big Papi” Ortiz lifted the team on his own Ruthian shoulders and carried them to the title with an incredible .688 World Series batting average. In the clubhouse he opened and poured a huge bottle of bubbly over his teammates.

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